metastasis
noun
me·tas·ta·sis mə-ˈta-stə-səs 
plural metastases mə-ˈta-stə-ˌsēz
1
a
: change of position, state, or form
b
: the spread of a disease-producing agency (such as cancer cells) from the initial or primary site of disease to another part of the body
metastasis of breast cancer to bone 
Medical Physics
Medical Physics also : the process by which such spreading occurs
2
: a secondary malignant (see malignant sense 1) tumor resulting from metastasis
metastatic
ˌme-tə-ˈsta-tik
adjective metastatically
ˌme-tə-ˈsta-ti-k(ə-)lē
adverb 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Due to the metastasis of his cancer, Magallanes would need aggressive radiation and chemotherapy. The Indianapolis Star, 9 Aug. 2022 Carr, who wasn't involved with Wilkes' treatment, said that in his experience patients whose tumors spread to the lungs tend to have more favorable outcomes than patients whose cancer spreads to the liver, a more common site of metastasis. Reynolds Lewis, NBC News, 2 June 2022 The metastasis of the woke ideology and the virtue signaling that accompanies it into medical education and practice does nothing to improve care. WSJ, 23 May 2022 The work felt useful, and the research–on the role of microRNA in metastasis–was genuinely compelling. Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2022 The mouse tests can predict metastasis and whether a drug slows recurrence. Max G. Levy, Wired, 9 Mar. 2022 Some outraged Canadians see a kind of cross-border metastasis of U.S.-style crass politics — a notion amplified when conservatives like Donald Trump, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Tucker Carlson, the Fox news host, heap praise on the protesters. Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2022 What are the symptoms of bone metastasis in breast cancer? Jessie Van Amburg, Health.com, 15 Sep. 2021 When a cancer has progressed to the point of metastasis, a person can start losing weight without intending to. Jessie Van Amburg, Health.com, 20 Sep. 2021 See More
The Indianapolis Star, 9 Aug. 2022 Carr, who wasn't involved with Wilkes' treatment, said that in his experience patients whose tumors spread to the lungs tend to have more favorable outcomes than patients whose cancer spreads to the liver, a more common site of metastasis. Reynolds Lewis, NBC News, 2 June 2022 The metastasis of the woke ideology and the virtue signaling that accompanies it into medical education and practice does nothing to improve care. WSJ, 23 May 2022 The work felt useful, and the research–on the role of microRNA in metastasis–was genuinely compelling. Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2022 The mouse tests can predict metastasis and whether a drug slows recurrence. Max G. Levy, Wired, 9 Mar. 2022 Some outraged Canadians see a kind of cross-border metastasis of U.S.-style crass politics — a notion amplified when conservatives like Donald Trump, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Tucker Carlson, the Fox news host, heap praise on the protesters. Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2022 What are the symptoms of bone metastasis in breast cancer? Jessie Van Amburg, Health.com, 15 Sep. 2021 When a cancer has progressed to the point of metastasis, a person can start losing weight without intending to. Jessie Van Amburg, Health.com, 20 Sep. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Late Latin, transition, from Greek, from methistanai to change, from meta- + histanai to set — more at stand
First Known Use
1663, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Medical Definition
metastasis
noun
me·tas·ta·sis mə-ˈtas-tə-səs
plural metastases -ˌsēz
1
a
: change of position, state, or form
b
: the spread of a disease-producing agent (as cancer cells or bacteria) or disease from the initial or primary site of disease to another part of the body
The overwhelming concern about prostate cancer is its potential for metastasis—for cells to escape the gland and take root in lymph nodes, bones, lungs, skin, or other tissue. Tom Alexander, Fortune
Tom Alexander, Fortune also : the process by which such spreading occurs
2
: a secondary malignant tumor resulting from metastasis
… radiation has no known effect on distant metastases from breast cancer … David Plotkin, The Atlantic Monthly
David Plotkin, The Atlantic Monthly